Print edition for February 16, 2004

Regent's e-mail draws wrath of CCSN profs: University Regent Doug Hill of Reno drew the ire of some community college professors on Friday by sending out a mass e-mail through the president's office defending the Board of Regents' November decision to look into the tenure of removed lobbyist John Cummings.

A day of trial and error for Busch and Gaughan: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- An eventful race left Las Vegas native Brendan Gaughan with mixed emotions about his first career start in the Daytona 500.

Editorial: We've come a long way: On March 22, however, we will get a chance to see and hear how far we've come since the days when our two nations were poised for World War III. Mikhail Gorbachev is scheduled to speak that day at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as part of the Marjorie Barrick Lecture Series. He will be in town to meet with former President George H.W. Bush. The two former world leaders have agreed to be spokesmen for a tourism venture in the new Russia. The venture, brainchild of Tom Tait, the former director of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, is ...

Laughlin shooting DVD sealed: Jace Radke; A DVD containing footage taken during the 2002 gun battle between rival motorcycle gangs at a Laughlin casino was ordered sealed Friday during a hearing before U.S. District Judge James Mahan.

Victims' advocates question Catholic report: Advocates for victims are questioning the validity of a Roman Catholic report on the extent of sexual abuse of minors by priests in Nevada.

Ponds no longer will be used for endangered fish: Dan Kulin; Water will return to four man-made ponds at a Boulder City park during the next four weeks, but the endangered fish that had filled those ponds for almost 10 years won't.

Waltrip rips rescue effort: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Michael Waltrip was caught up in The Big One -- a 12-car crash 71 laps into Sunday's Daytona 500 -- but the defending race champion was more upset about the way he was treated by safety workers than he was about his demolished racecar.

Businesses seek plans for uninsured: By Timothy Pratt; Kirk Offerle, owner of the Jazzed Cafe & Vinoteca in Las Vegas, has seen his business grow from eight to 20 tables in the last seven years.

One of two traffic charges dropped following racial profiling claim: Erica D. Johnson; A District Court judge on Friday dismissed one of the traffic citations issued to a woman who claims she was a victim of racial profiling by North Las Vegas Police.

Hair falls as funds raised for survivor of fire: Heather Rawlyk; The 7-year-old survivor of a New Year's Day fire that killed his family received a hero's welcome Sunday at a fund-raiser held in his honor.

Officers kill man pointing a shotgun: Heather Rawlyk; A man was shot and killed by Metro Police officers Saturday, after he aimed a gun at police in an apparent suicide attempt, authorities said.

Weekend energizes Democrats: Kirsten Searer; Many top state Democrats were left scratching their heads on election night in 2002, when Republicans trounced them at the polls.

Judge delays decision on interview with Tabish lawyer: Erica D. Johnson; District Judge Joseph Bonaventure on Friday postponed his ruling on whether he will allow prosecutors to interview the attorney Rick Tabish accused of improperly handling his appeal on extortion charges.

Rebels ripped by Missouri: COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Dissension turned into disaster Sunday afternoon for UNLV at the Hearnes Center, where a forgettable seven-day stretch deteriorated into the worst defeat in Charlie Spoonhour's three seasons in Las Vegas.

Proposal to allow more toxic waste challenged: CARSON CITY -- A proposed state regulation that would open the door to more toxic waste being shipped into Nevada is being questioned by an environmental expert at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Veterans hospital rests with VA boss' promise: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Although a federal panel did not make a clear recommendation for a new veterans hospital, Nevada's congressional delegation is counting on a verbal agreement from Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi that three health care facilities will come to Las Vegas,

Police led on chase by man in water truck: Jen Lawson and Jace Radke; A man who stole a large construction water truck led officers from North Las Vegas, Metro and the Nevada Highway Patrol on a circuitous 30-minute chase this morning, spraying water on the highway behind him before jumping out and running into a building in Henderson where police arrested him.

Sports briefs for February 16, 2004: DePodesta, 31, has been a top assistant to Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane since joining the Athletics in 1998.

Veterans center is burglarized: The burglar alarm was set off about 4 p.m. Metro Police found the museum, located at 3333 Cambridge St. near Desert Inn Road, ransacked.

Hardt-earned win: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. captured the crown jewel of stock-car racing, the Daytona 500, in his fifth attempt. His father, the legendary Dale Earnhardt, made 20 agonizing starts in the "Great American Race" before he won it.

Letter: Without liberals, working folks would have little: Now I ask people who scorn, hate and ridicule liberals and kiss up to the very ones who would have denied them these quality-of-life benefits: Just what do you think you would have done without the programs liberals brought about? Well, it is very likely they would have what citizens of Third World countries have today -- very little. I suggest liberal bashers ponder this the next time they hear some right-wing commentator going through his daily ritual of denigrating liberals and Democrats.

Letter: Teach U.S. about nuclear danger: I'd like to suggest that all future real estate contracts nationwide have a disclosure statement concerning Yucca Mountain and the increased risk about properties on the transportation routes. This certainly will educate Nevadans about the risk of this politically charged Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. When the risks of transportation are studied nationwide, all Americans will be educated.

News briefs for February 16, 2004: A 79-year-old Las Vegas man was killed Friday in a traffic accident at the intersection of Ann and Fort Apache roads.

Vegas pioneer, longtime Sun executive Deskin dies at 87: It was fitting that native Nevadan Ruthe Deskin spent some of her final waking hours recalling a state landmark 40 miles west of where she grew up in Yerington, which she often called by its original name, Pizen Switch.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Quick study Maloof is master of the house: When he was a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Palms owner George Maloof spent many nights playing craps and learned a very important lesson: If you gamble regularly, you are guaranteed to lose.

Las Vegan arrested on sex assault charges: Jen Lawson; A 59-year-old Las Vegas man who worked with children at a local church was arrested by Metro Police for allegedly sexually assaulting girls and taping the acts.

Cimarron-Memorial puts foes on their backs on way to title: Nick Christensen; By the time the consolation brackets had begun, the tone of Saturday's 4A state wrestling tournament was quite clear:

Columnist Ralph Siraco: Weeding-out process for Kentucky Derby begins: Ralph Siraco; For a horse owner, winning the Kentucky Derby is a long shot at best.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Coach Spoonhour has worn out his welcome: Dean Juipe; That's it. This has gone on long enough. The time has come.

Lady Rebels heed words of wisdom: Sometimes, it's not what you say, but how you say it.

Las Vegas' new goalie gets offensive support: Nick Christensen; Saturday night, Dave Marlin was a backup goalie with the Fresno Falcons who hadn't seen playing time in three weeks, and had played in only13 games in his three-year pro career.

Definition of gaming revenue causes confusion in Mississippi: Shelia Hardwell Byrd; JACKSON, Miss. -- The state Tax Commission and the state Gaming Commission have conflicting definitions of gaming revenue, and lawmakers have been asked to intervene.

Nevada insurer's profit drops: Michelle Swafford; PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. reported a 15 percent decline in profit in the fourth quarter because of a reduction in membership and a charge for an early debt repayment.

Small grocers work to tap niche markets: Jennifer Shubinski; If independent grocers expect to survive and experience sales growth in a nation dominated by Wal-Mart supercenters and other large chains, they must differentiate and avoid head-to-head competition, an industry expert said.

The boos turn into Badus: Spencer Patterson; Who: Erykah Badu with Floetry.

Midler's stellar voice at MGM outshines some dated material: Ken Miller; Who: Bette Midler.

Lozano could face death next time around: Erica D. Johnson; Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty in a second trial of Pascual Lozano, 24, whose conviction in the shooting death of a 9-year-old girl has been overturned.

Obituaries for February 16, 2004: Frances H. Cino, 80, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. She was born Sept. 6, 1923, in New York City. A resident for 29 years, she was a retired hospital administrative clerk.

Community news briefs for February 16, 2004: Ronald McDonald House has selected local executives to be arrested and jailed for at least one hour at Galleria at Sunset's Center Court from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those locked up will be charged with finding sponsors to donate money to bail them out of jail. Money raised for the charity during the Lock Up will directly benefit children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Las Vegas.

One of two escaped inmates caught: About 11 p.m. Saturday, authorities realized inmates Christopher Meecham and Kenneth Rehark had disappeared from a minimum-security work assignment at the Southern Nevada Correctional Center in Jean, state Department of Corrections officials said.

Birth announcements for February 16, 2004: Feb. 1:

Remembering Ruthe: Deskin's column was pointed, relevant until the very end: A few days ago I was talking to a friend about Ruthe Deskin. I mentioned that Ruthe's birthday was approaching -- on Feb. 20 -- and that she would be 88 years old.

Kitsch is served: Elton's 'Red Piano' over the top: By Jerry Fink; Director David LaChapelle has managed to cram almost every popular cliche about Las Vegas onto the 22,500-square-foot stage of The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Gladiators improved, but still looking for first victory: Adam Candee; After two hard-fought games, the Las Vegas Gladiators are greatly improved from last season's team and they feel great about their offense and defense.

Editorial: Allow time to analyze energy bill: But it wasn't just the money that bothered us in the original $31 billion bill. The new, $14 billion bill is not automatically superior just because it's cheaper. We also opposed the protections given to some companies in the energy industry. Taken out of the latest version of the bill was a provision that would have protected the makers of MTBE (a gasoline additive that was later determined a health risk) from lawsuits. This is encouraging, but time is needed to see if other provisions, beneficial to special interests, might have been slipped into the bill. It's not easy to ...

Columnist Susan Snyder: Deskin was a true pioneer: I'm not going to pretend I know Ruthe Deskin any better than the regular reader because that's how I did know her -- as a reader.